[EXPIRED] FAIRMONT HOTELS - Employee Friends and Family Promotion
May 20, 2009, 11:20 am
#856
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AA,DL,BA,UA,SPG, and any other free trip!
Posts: 1,803
From my understanding, it is based on supply and demand. Try variations. Like booking Fri and Sat night in one reservation, and sunday in the other. Or other variations like that. If not, it looks like they have raised prices and you are out of luck, which brings me to my number one lesson:
IF YOU SEE A RATE YOU LIKE, AND YOU THINK THERE IS THE TINIEST CHANCE YOU WILL BE STAYING AT THE HOTEL, BOOK IT! IN MOST CASES IT IS 100% REFUNDABLE.
IF YOU SEE A RATE YOU LIKE, AND YOU THINK THERE IS THE TINIEST CHANCE YOU WILL BE STAYING AT THE HOTEL, BOOK IT! IN MOST CASES IT IS 100% REFUNDABLE.
May 20, 2009, 1:29 pm
#857
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4
May 20, 2009, 1:55 pm
#858
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Programs: Fairmont President's Club, Aeroplan, Airmiles
Posts: 352
Agreeing with everyone here. Book when you see something you like. You can always cancel. Rates change at ANYTIME... sometimes up, sometimes down. All depends on occupancy levels and how many rooms they have available with this promo.
May 20, 2009, 1:59 pm
#859
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
watch out
But be cautious of what the cancellation policies are. Some hotels DO have a deposit requirement and even 21+ day advance cancellation policies, so make sure you keep those dates CLEARLY in mind when making reservations that you might want to still cancel.
May 20, 2009, 4:10 pm
#860
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG, FPC, US
Posts: 256
Highlights (actually just lowlights are)
1. The "technology experience" is actually a technology nightmare. The TV and guide are almost useless. the onscreen display can hardly be seen from the bed (anyone over 50 would never be able to see it), and the guide shows NO data, just channel numbers. There is no GUIDE button, one has to hit the remote three times to get there. My parents would NEVER be able to figure it out, I had a frustrating time and I do UI and workflow work for TECH companies. The alarm by the side of the bed was even worse. Great to put my ipod on, but if you want to change the alarm time, one has to rotate a very tight horizontal wheel, over and over and over again to get to the time you want. There is NO idication that this is the way to set the time. I probably could have called the butler, but my parents would NEVER figure it out.
1. The "technology experience" is actually a technology nightmare. The TV and guide are almost useless. the onscreen display can hardly be seen from the bed (anyone over 50 would never be able to see it), and the guide shows NO data, just channel numbers. There is no GUIDE button, one has to hit the remote three times to get there. My parents would NEVER be able to figure it out, I had a frustrating time and I do UI and workflow work for TECH companies. The alarm by the side of the bed was even worse. Great to put my ipod on, but if you want to change the alarm time, one has to rotate a very tight horizontal wheel, over and over and over again to get to the time you want. There is NO idication that this is the way to set the time. I probably could have called the butler, but my parents would NEVER figure it out.
3. Everything inside is totally overpriced. Yes, I had the inroom breakfast, for ONE which ended up being 70$ delivered. It wasn't even done correctly and was a 5 on a scale of 10. Drinks in the bar, TWO drinks, one scotch and one N.V. champage were 60$ not including tip. No nuts. POPCORN and SUNFLOWER seeds were served. ..., what IS this a kiddie bar? My scotch was most likely Just UNDER 1 OZ, and when I asked for some ice I got SHAVED ICE? Who would put that in a scotch?
4. I found most staff didn't speak too much english, our buttler SORT of did, but he didn't have an easy time with it. I tried to tell him that our PHONE kept ringing at 06:00 every morning when we had made NO wakeup call request, but it didn't ever stop.
May 20, 2009, 5:30 pm
#861
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Berlin
Posts: 14
Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills has always been one of those exclusive properties as it only has 103 rooms. The rates include many amenities though and the service was very very good when I stayed there. Complimentary minibar too! If there is availibility when you want to go, take it! If not there is always the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. Its probally a more lively location anyways.
May 21, 2009, 12:23 am
#862
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: UA, AA, Hilton and regular member of everything else
Posts: 1,332
just got back from Fairmont San Francisco Ghirardelli Square. We were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite. Staff was really nice (no mention of rate). Too bad we spent the whole day out in the town and didn't get to appreciate the hotel much. Thanks OP and all those with useful info on FT.
May 21, 2009, 2:00 am
#863
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Plat, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 507
Fairmont Plaza
Great location, but overall I was not impressed with the hotel or the service. By the end of my stay, I got the sinking feeling that EL-AD did not really want to keep the hotel open in the first place. For such a "grand" hotel the common areas and dinning options are severely lacking. Contrasted with the vast space (behind locked doors) allocated to residents - who enter via CPS and never have to mix with the rif-raf hotel guests. 
I personally couldn't be more impressed with the hotel or the service. The decor, furnishings, large bath and overall luxury of the room is fairly impressive. And the service I've encountered from the greeter, front desk, porter, concierge, operator and butler has been friendly, warm and responsive. Both my 5yo son and I get greeted by our name (Mr W2B and Mr W2B), which is a thrill for him.
No problems with the lighting, climate, service panel that is detachable from the wall (my kid thinks it's a highlight of the room). Or the TV remote. Didn't bother with the alarm clock as I simply do with wake up calls. Haven't used the fitness room yet, but now after reading nmemaker's post, won't bother. I guess jogging in Central Park will have to suffice
.My only complaint is that housekeeping knocks on the door at 9am, which is way too early, especially since my son is usually still sleeping. So I now know to put the privacy tag out front.
"Common areas and dining options are severely lacking"
Haven't tried the restaurants although the Oak Room does seem crowded and popular with locals as is the Oak Bar. The large lobby area has sufficient seating and is service by the Champagne Bar. The website says the Rose Club (the main bar area) embodies grandeur with a splash of contemporary style and spirit, which I would agree based on appearance alone. I guess it would take the Palm Court to reopen with afternoon tea to impress some. As for lack of hotel dining options, I agree with sciguy and seek out other restaurants not far from the hotel. For instance, Quality Meats is just down the street less than a block.
I've stayed at several grand Fairmont properties and the historic Plaza is a wonderful, fitting addition to their portfolio. I probably would've never considered staying here had it not been for the NFAF rate (THANK YOU OP
)
May 21, 2009, 2:15 am
#865
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South Oxfordshire
Programs: Yes please
Posts: 564
The old Irish saying of 'Vote early, vote often' appears to appy equally to Fairmont bookings!
May 21, 2009, 8:30 am
#866
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
There is a nice bfast place just up the street, 57th and 6th I think on the SOUTH EAST corner. Can't remember the name, but good food, quite atmosphere, stars in there and low $$ for bfast
May 21, 2009, 8:32 am
#867
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
May 21, 2009, 8:50 am
#869
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, FPC, Delta Privilege Gold, Air Miles Gold
Posts: 152
Fairmont Raffles does not have a hotel in HKG. Raffles started with the legendary hotel in Singapore. Try the ICH group F&F rates.
May 21, 2009, 4:18 pm
#870
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Programs: Fairmont President's Club, Aeroplan, Airmiles
Posts: 352
I had family who was also looking for one in these chains but no dice... It was a surprise to me as well.